Fall is the season to get your backyard ready. As the days shorten and the temperatures drop, birds are already preparing for whatâs ahead:
- Migrating species are passing through and looking for quick energy stops
- Young birds born in summer are learning where to find reliable food
- Year-round regulars like chickadees, cardinals, and titmice are establishing the routines that will carry them through the cold months
If I had to strip my backyard down to only three feeders, these are the ones Iâd fight to keep. The all-around hopper, a suet feeder, and a ground feeder. Together they cover every style of feeding, invite in the widest mix of birds, and keep things lively in my yard all year long.
Hopper Feeders: The All-Around Classic
If you only have room for one feeder, make it a hopper. Itâs versatile, sturdy, and brings in the widest variety of birds. Cardinals, goldfinches, titmice, and even woodpeckers all line up at mine. Because itâs roomy, it can accommodate larger seeds like striped sunflower, which the bigger birds love. Plus, itâs durable, well-made, and easy to clean, everything I want in a feeder.
My favorite is this Amish-made Recycled Hopper FeederÂ
Suet Feeders: Energy for Cold Days Ahead
Suet is pure energy, and fall is the best time to start offering it. Woodpeckers are usually the first to find it, but nuthatches and wrens will join in too. I especially love this style because of the tail prop. It gives larger birds a place to balance while they eat. It also looks so much nicer than the simple wire cages (though I keep a few of those in my yard too).
One of my favorite birdwatching moments was seeing a Pileated Woodpecker on this feeder. What a thrill!
My favorite is this Cedar Suet Feeder with Tail PropÂ
Ground Feeders: Welcoming the Seed-Scratchers
Ground feeders are my âpeaceful crowd-pleasers.â Sure, some folks arenât fans of doves, but I love them. Thereâs something calming about their steady presence. Eastern Towhees show up too, flashing those bright red eyes (at least here in Tennessee). When the weather cools, Juncosâaka snowbirdsâarrive, and I canât help but smile when I see them hopping around. White-throated Sparrows also make an appearance, adding their sweet song to the mix.
My favorite ground feeder is coming soon. Keep an eye out for an announcement in a few weeks. Hint: it will match the Amish-made hopper feeder above.
Other Feeder Styles to Consider
Even though those three are my must-haves, there are other types youâll see around too:
⌠Tube Feeders: Many people love them with multiple ports, and theyâre a classic for finches. My tube feeder broke, so I decided to fill this Mini Moraine Hopper Feeder with this Specialty Blend. Wow, the results were amazing. I like the look of this feeder so much better in my yard than those plastic tube feeders, and the small perch is perfect for little birds.
⌠Platform Feeders: These attract a wide variety, from cardinals to jays to grosbeaks. While I do like the ground feeder style, the hanging platform feeders arenât my jam. They get wet and messy, and I can never seem to find the right place for one in my yard.
⌠Window Feeders: Fun for close-up views if you want the birds right at your window. Personally, I prefer the outdoor setups.
⌠Bluebird Feeders and Nest Boxes: Bluebirds are special visitors that need a little extra encouragement. A Bluebird Feeder can help them find mealworms without too much competition from other birds, and a Bluebird Nest Box is the perfect invitation for them to raise a family in your yard.
A Note About Hummingbird Feeders
I love hummingbirds, but you wonât find a feeder for them in the Happy Birdwatcher shop (yet). For me to carry something, it has to be eco-friendly, made in the USA, and truly top quality. I havenât found the right one. If you know of a hummingbird feeder that fits the bill, Iâd love to hear about it.
Why Fall Is the Perfect Time to Add a Feeder
When you set up a new feeder now, youâre doing more than feeding birds, youâre building habits. The visitors who discover your yard in September and October are the ones whoâll keep showing up in January when the snow falls. And the best part is, once they know your yard is reliable, theyâll keep returning all year long. That means more color, more song, and more life in your backyard every season.
If youâre ready to bring home one of my favorites (or discover something new), you can browse the full collection here: đ All Bird Feeders and Nest Boxes
Happy Birdwatching,
Susan đđŚ